Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

Drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2nd round of the 2003 draft.

2003-04: Pushkarev is currently putting up huge numbers while playing for Avangard VDV, the farm team of Omsk of the RSL. He has already gotten his feet wet in the RSL, recording an assist in 5 games. However, he likely will spend the bulk of the 2003-04 season with the farm team. A mid-season leg injury limited his playing time this season. Returned from the injury to play the remainder of the season with Omsk’s farm team.

2004-05: Made the jump to North America after being drafted by the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. Spent his time on the second line for Calgary, scoring 52 points in 69 games. While displaying pure offensive skills, it became apparent that Pushkarev still needs to work on his hockey sense and attention to defense.

2005-06: After the midseason trade of several top performers for Manchester last season, Konstantin Pushkarev finished the season as the top remaining goal scorer for the team with 19 and a final point total of 38. Pushkarev had a volatile season with the low of diminished ice time and the high of being called to Los Angeles where he registered an assist in one game played.

2006-07: Pushkarev started the season splitting time with Los Angeles and Manchester (AHL) in the Kings organization before getting dealt in the asset-laden Mattias Norstrom deal. In Iowa, Pushkarev set a good pace in his short time there, registering seven points in just 15 games. He also contributed five points in Iowa’s 12 playoff games.

2007-08: The Kazakhstan-native started the 07-08 campaign with Iowa but decided to leave the team early in the season and return to Russia. He appeared in five games for CSKA Moscow (RSL) but then had a change of heart and returned to Iowa soon after. In all, Pushkarev had an impressive AHL season and showed flashes of what made him a second round pick in 2003.

Talent Analysis

A typical sniper...a very good skater, with a high top speed and great acceleration...very aggressive on the ice and does not hesitate to crash the net...very competitive and doesn’t give up on a play...not an asset defensively, needs to work on this aspect of the game....possesses a good wrister with a quick release...needs to bulk up and improve his strength to supplement his aggressiveness with power and that will come with time.

Future

Potential: Second line scoring winger, sort of like Vladimir Orzagh; or like a smaller but more talented Fredrik Sjostrom with a bit less defensive awareness.